Abstract: The invention provides a game apparatus in which playing pieces (12) are projected at a target (2) by a player, comprising a player console (1), a target panel (2) spaced apart from the player console, playing piece projector (3) disposed at the player console for projecting a playing piece (1,2) provided by a player towards the target panel, at least one winner area (16) in the target panel and dimensioned to receive a playing piece (12) projected from the project of, and a prize issuer in response to a projected playing piece being received in the winner area. A movable cover (17) is provided to alternately obscure and expose the or each winner area (16) in a regular or random fashion.

Abstract: An amusement machine comprises a passage (3) having an entry and an exit and defining a plurality of routes through which playing pieces can be caused to pass by a user of the machine. A hopper (8) for playing pieces is positioned between the entry and the exit of the passage and adapted to receive and temporarily hold playing pieces which pass through at least one of the plurality of routes. A movable barrier (14) is arranged between the entry of the passage and the hopper and, depending on its position, permits playing pieces to enter the hopper, or prevents playing pieces from entering the hopper and diverts them to a different route which by-passes the hopper. A counter determines the quantity of playing pieces in the hopper. A gate (9) is cooperable with the hopper and the counter and, when a predetermined quantity of playing pieces is held in the hopper, is actuated to release playing pieces from the hopper, whereby the released playing pieces can pass to the exit of the passage.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for conveying material between a lower station and an upper station. The apparatus includes a bucket (16) for containing material to be conveyed, a guide channel (15) between the upper station and the lower station, a lower guide peg (14) attached to a lower part of the bucket (16) and arranged to slide along the guide channel (15), and an upper guide peg (17) attached to an upper part of the bucket (16) and arranged to slide along the guide channel (15). The bucket (16) is driven between the lower station and the upper station. A deflector guide (12) branches from the guide channel (15) so as to guide one of the guide pegs (17) away from the guide channel while the other guide peg (14) remains in the guide channel. The bucket (16) is thereby caused to pivot about the other guide peg (14) and thus tip out material contained therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to an amusement machine comprising a play area (3) for containing a plurality of small portable articles (30) which are accessible from above; a scoop means (4) remotely operable by a user of the machine for scooping articles from the play area (3) and transferring them directly or indirectly to a collection station (7); a sensor means (26) for detecting the amount of articles at the collection station (7); and a dispenser for dispensing a cash or non-cash prize in response to a signal from the sensor (26).